Improvement in opera-chairs



G. FLOYD. OPERA CHAIR.

- Patented Dec. 19, 1876.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGE FLOYD, OF CINGINNATI, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN OPERA-CHAIRS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 185,5 12, dated December 19, 1876; application filed March 4, 1876.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE FLOYD, of Gincinnati, Hamilton county, Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Chairs for Theatres, Opera-Houses, Concert- Halls, &c., of which the following is a specification:

tody of the usher or other attendant at the place of amusement. When the proper person arrives with a check for the chair, the usher unlocks the retaining device and turns the seat down to a horizontal position, so as to be at once occupied by the party holding the check.

The second part of my invention comprises a spring-holder attached to the chair, for the purpose of supporting canes, umbrellas, &c.

In the annexed drawing, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved chair, the seat being represented in its upturned position. Fig. 2 is a perspective view, showing the seat in a horizontal position. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the upper portion of the back of the seat. Figs. 4 and 5 represent modifications of the locking device, and Fig. 6 is a horizontal section through a modified form of seatframe.

The legs A, sides B B, back 0, and seat D, may be of the represented or any other approved form, as they constitute no part of my invention.

The seat may be united to the chair-frame by means of studs or pins E E engagingwith curved slots F F, or said seat may be hinged either to the rear or front of the frame.

Fitted to the under side of seat D, or mortised in the same, is a lock, G, of any appropriate kind, and having a bolt, H, capable of engaging with an aperture, I, in the side B, or else with a socket in the chair-arm, as shown at J in Fig. 4; or, the lock may be attached to the arm of the chair in such a way as to cause the bolt to engage with the seat.- (See Fig. 5.) In this illustration the arm K of the chair is perforated at k to receive the key L, wherewith the bolt of the lock is operated.

The under side of the seat may have two spring clips, wires, or bands, N N, secured to it, for the purpose of retaining hats, shawls, or other wearing-apparel, or said seat may be provided with a drawer for such a purpose.

Attached to the base of the chair is a trough or other suitable receptacle, 0, which may extend from one of the front to one of the rear legs of the chair, as seen in Fig. 1; or, the trough may serve as a stretcher to unite the two rear legs, as represented in Fig.2. This trough acts as a stand for canes, and it also serves to collect any water that may drip from umbrellas, which water may be removed at any time with a sponge, or otherwise. Coupled to the chair is a spring-holder, P, of any suitable form, said holder being arranged so as to read ily embrace the handles of umbrellas, canes, &c. R is a spring-clip, attached to the back of the chair, and designed for the reception of programmes, 850.

Before the place of amusement is opened, all the reserved seats are upturned, and then securely locked by engaging their respective bolts 11 with the apertures I, as seen in Fig. 1.

When the hall is opened, and the audience begins to arrive, it is evident that none of the upturned seats can be occupied, and, consequently, no confusion will be occasioned by parties getting into seats they are not entitled to. As, soon, however, as a person arrives with a check for a certain reserved chair, the usher conducts the party to the proper place, applies the key to lock Gr, throws the bolt of same, and then turns the seat D down to a horizontal position, as indicated in Fig. 2.

Previous to the seat being turned down, the holder of the check may apply his hat, overcoat, or other spare articles of wearing-apparel to the clips N N, so as to be out of the way during the performance. He may also aiiplyhis-cane or umbrella to the spring-holder of the seat directly in front of him, which seat carries his programme in the clip R.

The seat may be hinged to the frontof the frame, as shown at b b in Fig. 6.

It is immaterial whether the seat is-brought to avertical position or to an inclined one, the object of my invention being attained when the seat is locked in a position that renderstit inconvenient for occupancy.

I claim as my invention- 1. In combination with the chair-frame A B B, and swinging seat D, the lock G H or in an upturned position,as andfor the purpose specified. 2. The spring-holder P, applied to a chair, substantially as herein described, and for the object stated; a In testimony of which invention I hereunto set my hand..

GEORGE FLOYD.

Attest: V JAMES H. LAYMAN,

JOHN C. HEALY.

its equivalent device, for maintaining saidis'ed't 

